Final answer:
Ludwig Wittgenstein's concept of 'meaning is use' suggests that the meaning of words is determined by their use in language and context.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ludwig Wittgenstein, an Austrian philosopher, introduced the idea that meaning is use. This means that the meaning of a word or concept is determined by its use in language and its context.
According to Wittgenstein, we understand the meaning of words by observing how they are used in different situations and by different language users.
For Wittgenstein, language is verifiable only within its particular context, implying that the meaning of a word or statement is highly dependent on the specific circumstances in which it is employed.
This approach contrasts with more traditional views, where meaning and truth were often seen as absolute or universal. His perspective was influential in the movement of post-structuralism, where the notion of fixed meanings gave way to a more fluid understanding of linguistic signs and symbols.
For example, the meaning of the word 'game' is determined by the various ways in which it is used to describe different activities that we recognize as games.